The weedy parasite Phelipanche aegyptiaca attacks Brassica rapa var. rapa L. for the first time in Israel

Aly R, Lati R, Abu-Nassar J, Ziadna H, Achdari G, von Muenchow CS, Wicke S, Bari VK, Eizenberg H

Abstract

White turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapa, Brassicaceae) is a worldwide popular root vegetable and it is commonly grown in Israel between autumn and winter season. B. rapa is among the economically important Brassica species, that contribute significantly to global food and industry. Broomrapes (Orobanche spp. and Phelipanche spp., Orobanchaceae) are obligate holoparasites that attack the roots of many important crops throughout the semiarid regions of the world, especially the Mediterranean and Middle East.